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Kitchen Design Notes

Kitchen Design Notes
Welcome to Kitchen Design Notes. Whether in the middle of a kitchen remodel, planning one or just dreaming, stop in and browse. This blog is part sounding board, part roladex. Here, I can share tips and pass on the latest design information to you.

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Articles

Getting the most out of Home Improvements
2008-01-30 19:46:00
Good conversation going on at "Pardon Our Dust".Kathy Price Robinson, home improvement contributor and blogger for the LA Times, discusses tax advantages of home improvement over home repairs.
More About: Home , Home Improvements

Mrs. Cubbison's Kitchen
2008-01-29 06:42:00
"Casa de Mi Sueño" or "My Dream House" was the two story house that Sophie Cubbison helped designed.Sophie Cubbison, creator of the boxed stuffing that bears her name, appeared on TV shows as a cooking expert from the '50s into the '70s. She and her husband, Harry, lived in Mt. Washington for 16 years.For the full story, read the November 18,2007 LA Times article, A Noted Cooks House with all the trimmings."The ironwork and tiles are exceptional; this house has so much character," said current owner Glenn Williams, who with his wife, Kathryn Patitucci, refurbished the home and gardens. "Friends come over and say they want a two-week vacation here."Take a look at the beautiful photos of "Casa de My Sueño" for authentic views of Spanish Style details with the exposed wood ceiling, iron work and tiles. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe parts of this house was used in the Diane Keaton Movie, "Because I Said So". The kitchen where Cubbison once cooked up her creations feature...
More About: Kitchen

Spanish Style
2008-01-28 06:22:00
The front of Komarov’s house offers the first hint that what lies inside defies easy labels. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times) Whereas many people might fill the kitchen window with plants and flowers, Komarov uses the space as a stage for her latest fascinations. The most recent: white porcelain and ceramic figurines — some kitsch, some classic — that form a still-life of quirky elegance. "That space is like an altar to me," she says. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)Botanical artist Krislyn Komarov, shown with husband Dmitri, kept her creative streak in check when designing her Los Angeles home. Although visitors will see the occasional exclamation point — here in the form of hanging bubble chairs — the overall effect is more lived in, less design lab. "We didn’t want the house too packed," Komarov says. "I collect things and love curiosities, but I don’t want a house that looks like people don’t actually live there." ...
More About: Style , Spanish

Tone on Tone Kitchens: Which one do you want?
2008-01-27 23:57:00
I get a lot of emails, asking what color goes better with what. Short of actually looking at your selections, its hard to evaluate from a distance. Here are two beautiful kitchens that share a common element, tone on tone. You can't go wrong with layering your colors. Gorgeous. Which one is your favorite?Carbon Beach, Malibu.Tone on Tone White Kitchen. A Beach House in Malilbu, CA(photo by Everett Fenton Gidley) December 3, 2007
More About: Kitchens

Weighing in on the Cost of Remodeling
2008-01-27 23:22:00
An article in the San Francisco Chronicle, "Save Money: remodeling now, upgrade later" by Arrol Gellner, has merit however I have to take issue with a couple of points. Namely, I disagree that the idea of buying inexpensive cabinets now and replacing later is not as simple as Mr. Gellner makes it appear to be. Secondly, Arrol Gellner's appliance advise may lead to complications later. Kitchen Designer Peggy Deras, has successfully challenged this idea that appliances are not easy to replace later because appliance cut out sizes are not standardized. Please read on at Kitchen-Exchange for her article, Comment on Arrol Gellner's Appliance Advise.I have been a fan of Mr. Gellner since I was introduced to his work and insightful articles on architecture, however I would have to argue with his idea of cabinets being fairly simple to remove and replace. Mr. Gellner's theory of using budget cabinentry for the short term a fairly open-ended way to save money may not be so simple or co...
More About: Cost , Remodeling

Spanish Style
2008-01-27 18:22:00
Dark Stained Beams Influence Spanish Style The front of Komarov’s house offers the first hint that what lies inside defies easy labels. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times) Whereas many people might fill the kitchen window with plants and flowers, Komarov uses the space as a stage for her latest fascinations. The most recent: white porcelain and ceramic figurines — some kitsch, some classic — that form a still-life of quirky elegance. "That space is like an altar to me," she says. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)Botanical artist Krislyn Komarov, shown with husband Dmitri, kept her creative streak in check when designing her Los Angeles home. Although visitors will see the occasional exclamation point — here in the form of hanging bubble chairs — the overall effect is more lived in, less design lab. "We didn’t want the house too packed," Komarov says. "I collect things and love curiosities, but I don’t want a house that looks like p...

The New Ranch House Part 2
2008-01-27 04:44:00
The L.A.Times Real Estate Section had a feature on The Ranch , Refined.Have we come a long way in building a better ranch? Oh yes we have. This Somis residence designed by architect Zoltan Pali, says the structure fundamentally is a country house responding to its setting. “Rural has always been associated with simplicity, sparseness and function,” Pali says. “That is this house. I see it as a simple architectural expression with elements boiled down to their essence.” The countryside is ever-present in Pali’s free-flowing plan.Here, the living area naturally leads to the open kitchen. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)14 ft ceilings, clerestory windows, wide open passage ways from one room to the next are my favorite features.
More About: House , Part

File under: Good ideas
2008-01-25 23:33:00
Self professed gadget queen and lover of good ideas: here is another one.A great finishing touch for under a sink. Embossed and polished aluminum sheet with rubber trim custom sized just for your sink cabinet. Available through Doug Mockett.
More About: Ideas , File , Good

Not All Green Products Are Alike
2008-01-24 17:03:00
The advertising of "green" built products is becoming more prevalent in print advertising. I drove by a local home improvement store and the whole side of the building was covered in a billboard ad that promoted "green" eco-friendly" cabinets.Be careful of "white washing" of Green Products in the kitchen and bath industry. There are several parts to a cabinet that may not qualify as green. As with anything, let the buyer beware. Become an educated consumer and no one will be able to white wash you about their green products. Green offerings are being refined and reformulated by the manufacturers daily as they respond to what the consumer is asking for. For an industry point of view read the article by Jeff Holloway at K+BB Green, Building a Green Cabinet Isn't Easy. Should we be upset with a manufacturer that calls it's product green when in actuality it does have components that are carcinogenic? No, we shouldn't. To produce a sustainable and healthy product is a process tha...

Remoding the Ranch Style Home
2008-01-20 16:48:00
The challenge of a Ranch Style kitchen.Newspaper ad from 1962.A new ranch style home for sale.In California, ranch home subdivisions exploded like wild poppies all over the state in the 1960's and 70's. Some better than others. Big lots, huge backyards, massive windows and sliding glass doors welcomed indoor/outdoor living, vaulted ceilings, 2 car attached garages, walk-in closets, spacious formal dining room, living room and den to boot.The Klawitter Home in Long Beach, CA. An example of the best part of California Ranch House style: The indoor/outdoor living. Ironically, the kitchens in these big, beautiful ranch homes usually shared the same impossible U-shaped footprint or narrow galley kitchens. Peninsulas with blind storage corners, massive sink base cabinets centered over a pass-thru kitchen window intended for ease of entertaining and serving to the patio. Clerestory windows. Vaulted Ceilings. Views of the backyard. The beauty stops at the kitchen.Dismal layout. Minimal...

12 Tips to Simplify Kitchen Life
2008-01-05 23:07:00
I love January. After the winter celebrations are over with, life slows down a little. It's too cold or wet outside to garden. Nights still get dark too early to enjoy the evenings outdoors. It is a wonderful month for quiet time. January is the customary month for setting new goals. How wonderful to be cozy and warm and plan ahead. Indoors it is a great time to declutter from the stuff that keeps us weighed down from change.There is a fun little article to read at Care2: 12 Tips to Simplify Kitchen Life .Before remodeling your kitchen, a good idea is to take stock of how much you have in the kitchen. Do you complain of not having enough counter, cupboard or drawer space? Get rid of duplicates. Hoarding leaves one with two sided guilt: guilt for being wasteful and guilt for not letting go. Ask yourself this question, is it outmoded? Is it no longer used? Give them away to charity or someone else who can use them. Clear, clean, and restage the way you use your kitchen. Make way ...

2008: A Fresh Start!
2008-01-02 22:21:00
It is 2008 and I am ready to tackle a new year ahead.I took a few days off to recharge my batteries, feeling rested and renewed I am looking forward to designing and remodeling more kitchens.I love getting letters and here is an interesting one in regards to an older post I did on sinks.Hi Laurie.I just ran across your blog while searching for opinion on cornercabinets (to use or not to use, and what type) as I'm renovating mykitchen.I'm pleased to see that, on paper, I've been adhering to good designstandards and avoiding ruinous errors (doors and drawers interfering,for instance).Than I ran across this post regarding sinks and you advice exactlyagainst something I had planned. But I'm not sure why. I'm hopingyou'll satisfy my curiosity.Number 6: Waste Disposer Compartment: If you are ordering a singlebowl sink, you will want to get the food waste disposer located inthe far corner and not in the middle of the bowl.I had in mind a 18 gauge rectangular single bowl 30" wide, 1...
More About: Start , Fresh

General Electric Recalls Microwave Combo Ovens Due to Fire Hazard
2007-12-08 20:55:00
GE is aware of 35 incidents of minor property damage and one incident in which a fire damaged adjacent kitchen cabinets. No injuries have been reported.The hazard: the door switch in the microwave oven can overheat and ignite plastic components in the control area, posing a fire hazard to consumers. The lower thermal oven does not pose a hazard.Sold at: Department and appliance stores from January 2000 to December 2003 for between $1,500 and $2,000. Manufactured in: United States Remedy: Consumers should stop using the microwave oven immediately. Consumers should contact GE regarding their GE/GE Profile micro-oven combo or Sears for their Kenmore unit. GE is offering a free repair or rebate on a new product, a $300 rebate toward the purchase of a new GE brand unit, or a $600 rebate toward the purchase of a new GE Profile brand unit. Sears is offering a free repair or $300 rebate toward the purchase of a new Kenmore brand unit. Consumers can continue using the lower thermal oven. ...
More About: General , Fire , General Electric , Electric , Combo

Small Space "Rejoice"
2007-12-04 00:31:00
An idea who's time has come.What to do with a home office/bedroom that is too small for both to coexist comfortably?How about an improvement to the old Murphy Bed? It effortless. You have to see the video of this bed in action. Great innovation on an old idea! No room for out of town guests? How about extra sleeping in the living room, behind the flat screen TV?Europeans have known for years that bed frames made of bowed wooden slats outshine box springs in terms of comfort, support and durability. Zoom-Room™ has taken this concept one step further to create the ultimate design solution for convertible spaces.Touch the wireless remote, and Zoom-Room’s premium latex mattress floats into the room. Supported by a German-designed and patented slatted frame, it simply glides down a vertical track hidden inside an elegant wood cabinet. Just 24” deep, Zoom-Room is undetectable, and unlike other wall beds, does not interfere with your flat screen TV, bookshelves – or whatever you h...
More About: Space , Small

Working with Resins.
2007-12-02 23:02:00
How cool is this?Lumicor blends the versatility of high performance resins with the vast world of decorative materials to bring light, texture and color to enhance any environment. Its unique decorative appearance is the result of a patented process that incorporates interesting core elements within clear resins.The Design Possibilities are unlimited!For more inspiration go to Lumicor.com
More About: Working , Workin

ALUMINUM FRAME LED PANELS
2007-12-02 22:53:00
I saw these illuminated glass shelves at the Kitchen and Bath Show this past year and loved the idea of each shelf having it's own source of light. No more shadows from the top. On their own, the severity of the linear pattern of the glass may appear very techno but when paired with resin inserts on framed doors, the look can be anything you want.°eluma is an innovative LED panel that was created in conjunction with Tresco International,one of the nation’s leading lighting distributors. °eluma can be used as illuminated shelvingin kitchen and bathroom cabinets, decorative panels, doors, etc. The patented technologyenables the glass shelves to be fully adjustable in cabinet applications with the incorporationof a power bar into the cabinet and plug and play panel connectors. Hard wiring is notrequired and therefore the end user can install the product without a professionalelectrician. Previous lighting methods used in cabinet applications have not had theadjustability nor the ...
More About: Aluminum , Frame , Lumi

Dogs and Hardwood Floors
2007-12-01 21:48:00
One of the phone calls I got this week was from a contractor who's client is accusing his crew of scratching their new hardwood floors. But, what we know is the homeowner has a small dog and the scratch marks are most decidedly the same pattern a small dog would make on a floor.Item of note: if you have dogs, (what do we know from dogs? We're cat people!) So we went to the hardwood experts for advise. So before banishing the poor pooch to the pound we suggest you do modify the stain color for your floors. Avoid dark hardwood floors. Why? Their claw marks will show up more on a darker wood. Opt for lighter honey tones and choose a hand scraped plank that will lesson the appearance of scratches a dog will make.And then there is this: SoftPaws.NetNail Caps as a preventive measure: Damage to Household Surfaces: Hardwood Floors - Doors - Walls - Screens - Furniture - Carpets. The nail caps effectively blunt your dog’s nails so ...
More About: Dogs

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